Musculoskeletal disorders represent a significant global health burden, frequently leading to chronic pain, functional impairment and disability. Conventional treatment modalities, including rehabilitation, pharmacotherapy and surgical intervention, are often associated with suboptimal outcomes and prolonged recovery. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have gained considerable attention due to their regenerative capacity, accessibility and immunomodulatory properties. Preclinical studies of ADSCs have demonstrated promising effects in skeletal muscle regeneration. However, the evidence from human orthopaedic shoulder surgery remains inconclusive. This scoping review aims to map the process of adipose tissue-derived treatments in orthopaedic surgery, especially shoulder surgery.